Grassland Survey Setup

Surveys are recorded using eBird. Some important setup is required before entering the field.

Join the PROALAS project

1. Projects are only supported in version 3.1.3 or later of the eBird app. Make sure your eBird Mobile app is up-to-date before participating in Projects.

2. Go to the PROALAS project page https://ebird.org/projects/1047/about and join the project by clicking the join button

3. In your eBird app, go to Settings -> Check for updates

• To start a checklist on the eBird app, click “Choose projects” -> PROALAS-General -> “Stationary (3 band, 30m+100m)

Load Survey Points into eBird

Before going out in the field, please carefully follow these steps at home to load the survey point hotspots to your eBird account and smart phone.

1. On your computer, download the relevant file(s) below containing dummy checklists:

   1. fllt-locations.csv -  for Lindsy-parsons, Sims-Jennings, and Summerland

   2. cu-locations.csv - for Dunlop Meadow, Hartford, Mt. Pleasant

2. On your computer, import the file(s) above into eBird:

   1. Browse to https://ebird.org/import/status/all.htm (My eBird, Data Imports).

   2. Click Import a file, use the Choose File button to select the csv file downloaded above.

   3. Choose format eBird Checklist Format (Grid).

   4. Hit the green Import File button.

   5. Wait 1-30 minutes for the import to complete.
      When done, the page will show something like Import 1 - "fllt-locations.csv" - Completed.

   6. This will import a number of 0-species dummy checklists, with location names like "LP-2" or "RS 26".

3. Update your smartphone (via a bit of a hack). You can skip this step if you're do not intend to use your smartphone's eBird app.

   1. Navigate to Checklists, tap the Submitted tab.

   2. Tap one of the imported 0-species checklists to open it. They will have location names like "LP-2" or "SJ 03". Those checklists are dated June 6, 2025, so you may have to scroll down to find them. If you do not see them, drag down to refresh.

   3. Tap Edit (📝 square with pencil in upper right corner), then tap the location name (e.g. "RS 26") at the top.

   4. This should open the Choose a location screen with the new survey point locations. Once they appear on the map, they should be available for new checklists as well.

   5. Cancel out of the checklist edits.

   6. Note: you only need to do the above steps for one checklist, which should load all of the survey points onto your phone.

4. On the computer, delete the import:

   1. In your imports page from above, click Delete import.